MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

COMMONWEALTH POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS TENABLE IN THE

UNITED KINGDOM – 2023
Applications are invited from eligible Sri Lankans for awarding of Postgraduate Scholarships
offered under the Commonwealth Scholarship Programme. These awards are tenable at
Institutions of Higher Learning in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2023. Terms and
Conditions which are available in the Commonwealth
Scholarship Commission website; http://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships
01. Number of Scholarships:
Masters (one year) 9
02. Fields of Study:
These scholarships are offered under 6 development themes. All candidates must apply under
one of these themes.
 Science and Technology for development
 Strengthening health system and capacity
 Promoting global prosperity
 Strengthening global peace, security and governance
 Strengthening resilience and response to crisis
 Access, inclusion and opportunity
03. Tenure:
One-year taught masters courses or equivalent degrees.
04. Termination:
Any scholarship may, at the discretion of the appropriate authority, be terminated at any
time owing to misconduct, irregularity of attendance, absence from classes or hostel without
prior approval of the authority concerned, and the unsatisfactory progress in studies or failure at
examinations. If any scholarship is terminated, the scholar may be required to return to Sri Lanka
at his/her own expenses/.
05. General Eligibility Requirements:
Each candidate should;
a) Be a citizen of Sri Lanka.
b) Should possess a 04-year Bachelor’s Degree (minimum 120 credit) with a First
or Second Class Upper Division in the relevant field of study from a recognized
university
 c) Be employed in the Public Sector, University or a State Corporation.
- No application will be entertained from a person holding a temporary/casual/
contractual appointment. Only permanent and confirmed employees will be
considered for the scholarships.
Note:
A lecturer on probation is eligible to apply when he/she is in continuous service
for a period of one year from the date of his/her appointment by 19.09.2022 (a
confirmation requirement as per the UGC-E Code Chapter X. Division II, 27:3)
d) Possess a high proficiency in English. The CSC does not require any candidates
to take an IELTS (English language) test. You should note, however, that, as a
further condition of your scholarship, you may be required by your university to
provide evidence of a particular level of English language proficiency.
e) Each candidate must provide a supporting statement from a named supervisor
from at least one of the UK universities to which He/ She is applying, when
submitting online application to Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)
after nominated by this Ministry. Because of the above reason, candidates are
strongly advised to submit placements applications directly to their preferred
institutions in advance.
06. Applications:
 Online application is available at: https://foreignscholarships.mohe.gov.lk/
 The deadline of the submission of the application is 19th September 2022.
 Each applicant should submit only one application and not required to send application
by post.
 No application from permanent employee of government sector, University or a state
Corporation will be entertained unless channeled through the Head of the Institution
concerned.
Note:
However, an application of a University/ Institute employee who has studied abroad on his/her
own expense or on a scholarship received from a source other than through his/her University/
Institute, can be considered if he/she has completed the minimum of his /her mandatory service
period as per the agreement provided that the Vice Chancellor/ Head of the Institute recommends
the application as per the provisions of the University/ Institute Establishment Code.
Any statement in the application, which is found to be incorrect, will render the applicant liable
to disqualification, if the inaccuracy is discovered before selection and to the withdrawal/cancel
of award, if discovered after selection.
07. General facts
a. Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at individuals who could not otherwise
afford to study in the UK. Every candidate will be required to sign a declaration
that they do not have access to sufficient funds to study in the UK.
b. Candidates who have undertaken any of their university education outside their
home country, will be asked to state how it was funded and how the education
differed from that in their home country.
c. The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission would not normally fund a second
UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you
will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study.
d. Any statement in the application, which is found to be incorrect, will render the
applicant liable to disqualification, if the inaccuracy is discovered before selection
and to the withdrawal of award, if discovered after selection.
e. Any application, which is not sent through proper channels or is incomplete in
any respect or received late, will be rejected.
08. Interview & Selection
a) All eligible applicant will be shortlisted by the education Ministry by their merit order of
academic performance, Quality of study Plan and Potential impact of the work on
the development of the candidate's home country.
b) Selected candidate will be required to present himself/herself at an interview to be held at
the Ministry of Education, No.18 Ward Place Colombo. (Based on the situation,
Interview will be conduct either virtual mode or Physical mode)
c) Generally, the interviews will be held within a short period after the closing date He/she
should produce original certificates of qualifications, University placement letter (if
already available), Certificate of Birth, National Identity card/ Passport and any other
documentary evidence in support of his/her candidature at the interview. Traveling or
other expenses incurred in connection with this interview will not be paid.
d) Any form of canvassing either in written or verbal form will be considered as a
disqualification for a scholarship.
e) The selected candidates will be informed by the Ministry to submit their completed CSC
Online applications before the date prescribed by the Commonwealth Scholarships
Commission in the UK.
Note: Since the limited off time period to submit online application after completion the
interview all the applications should be prepared their document earlier.

09. Nomination for the Scholarship

No candidate should treat his/her nomination for the Scholarship by the authorities of Sri Lanka
as an acceptance for an award. Awarding of the scholarship is a matter entirely within the
discretion of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission/ UK to whom the nomination is
made. Selected candidates who decline to accept the award will not be considered for any other
award during the year.

Secretary
Ministry of Education
18, Ward Place
Colombo 07.
Date: 17.08.2022